Standing outside the glass house, I felt all my anxiety return. I wondered if I'd ever see it again.
“We will return once this is over to celebrate our mating,” Cyn said as he pulled me into an embrace.
We kissed in the falling snow, his body heat seeping into my cloak to warm me. It was a sweet kiss, one with more brushing lips than twining tongues. A kiss that both lamented and rejoiced. Neither one of us wanted to leave our sanctuary, but neither of us were cowards either. This had to be handled.
We went to the clearing we had landed in. Cyn stripped, bundled up his clothing, and handed it to me. Thankfully, he kept a small wardrobe in the house or he'd have to arrive naked. I mean, he'd arrive naked anyway, but at least he'd be able to get dressed immediately. As soon as I had the clothes, I backed up, giving him room to shift. The transformation was fascinating, but fast. His body grew, going from man into an ambiguous thing, then into a tremendous beast who lifted its scaled head and spread its leathery wings as if it were just waking up and needed a good stretch.
Cyn launched himself into the air, circled the clearing, then swooped down to snatch me up in one giant talon. I settled into the cage of his claws, laying my cheek against one, and watched our mountain get smaller and smaller. The wind whistled through Cyn's claws, and I soon had to duck my head into the safety of my hood, pulling my cloak tightly around me. Cyn did his fire-breathing thing again, but he couldn't do it constantly. Regardless, hours later, when we made it back to Dralbara, I was a little cold but not frostbitten.
Cyn flew over the city walls, eliciting salutes from his Horns and then an excited clamoring as they hurried to spread the news of the King's return. Instead of heading to the Forgotten, just to the left, Cyn went straight for the castle at the far end of the city. As we approached, the guards on wall duty came to attention and gave the King a unified salute. Once we passed them by, I saw several men slump in relief. That's right; Cyn had been gone from the castle for longer than our little excursion to the mountain. His return was probably cause for celebration.
The Dragon King landed in the courtyard before the main entrance, and people came pouring out of the main entrance, throwing the grand double doors open. Servants, courtiers, Cyn's King's Guard, and of course, Lord Juri. Cyn set me down first, waited for me to scramble out of the way, then landed. I glanced at Juri as Cyn shifted back and got a vicious scowl that had me scurrying to my mate.
“Juri looks furious,” I whispered to Cyn as I handed him his clothes while simultaneously blocking his full-frontal situation.
“Juri can and will kiss my ass,” Cyn growled.
“I hope you don't mean that literally.”
Cyn chuckled, finished dressing, then took my hand and led me forward. As if they'd been waiting for his full attention, the castle staff and residents burst into cheering applause, some even shouting a welcome home to the King.
My mate slid back into monarch mode instantly, lifting his chin, pasting on a regal smile, and waving at his people. He went straight to Juri. “Attend me, Juri.Now.” Then he strode past the gaping lord to the castle steps. I thought he was going to take me inside, but Cyn stopped at the top step and turned to face the crowd. “I have a joyous announcement to make.” He lifted our joined hands and shouted, “I have found my mate!”
Another round of applause came along with cheering even more jubilant than the last. No one seemed upset that the King's mate was a Raltven. Well, no one except for Juri, but I think his gaping expression was more to do with the particular Raltven Cynric had mated and not my race.
“Thank you.” The Dragon King settled the crowd with a wave. “I've had to leave for a while to protect my mate, but I'm sure Lord Juri has handled things brilliantly for me.” He slid a stare at Juri, an eyebrow lifting when his words didn't bring more applause. “Worry not. Any issues that have arrived in my absence will be dealt with immediately.”
That got the applause he was searching for, and with a nod, the Dragon King turned, taking me with him, and entered his castle.
Within moments of our entry, I heard footsteps hurrying behind us. I didn't look back. It had to be Lord Juri. Shortly after those anxious steps came the cacophony of the rest of the court and staff, their footsteps muffled by the sound of their excited voices.
Cynric escorted me proudly through the castle corridors, taking several turns and climbing a set of stairs before we arrived at our destination. He opened a door, ushered me into the room beyond, then followed me in, leaving the door open. Juri came rushing in after us. He tried to shut the door, but it hit something solid. I looked back at the sound of a thump and found one of Cyn's knights pushing the door open. Sir Drasik strode into the room, giving Juri a hard look. The other nine members of the King's Guard came in on his heels. They stepped up to the King, bowed in unison, and then approached him singly to congratulate him on finding his mate and welcome him home.
“Thank you,” the King said. “It's good to be back, and I'm overjoyed to have mated Ru'din. The Gods have been good to me. I hope you all know that you now protect both of us.”
“Yes, Sire. Of course,” one of them said.
“The danger isn't over, men,” Cyn glanced at Juri. “We must be doubly vigilant. I want you to warn everyone to be on guard for glints of green in people's eyes. Not natural specks, mind you, but flashing green lights.”
“What's this?” Lord Juri demanded.
“Someone stole a relic with the power to control minds,” I said. “They have been using it to create assassins. When someone is under the relic’s influence, their eyes have green glints in them. Although we believe the culprit is a Shanba, they could be working with others.”
Juri went pale.
“We will spread the word, Sire,” Sir Kren said.
“And be especially vigilant,” Sir Fren added.
“Anyone can be controlled, even Dragons,” Cyn warned them. “Ru'din and I had to flee the Forgotten when we were cornered by a group of enchanted Raltven.”
“Are the Raltven all right?” a knight asked, earning a pleasantly surprised look from me.
“Yes, the enchantment lasts only until the target has completed their mission. I'm sure the Raltven have recovered by now. But thank you for your concern for my mate's people, Sir Rosren.”
The knights bowed again, then took up positions around the room. All of them. Lord Juri grimaced.
“Sir Rosren, a word.” Cyn motioned at the door. He took the knight outside, then returned a few minutes later without him.
